BJP plans three-pronged strategy to capture’ Karnataka

Acharya said the first phase of establishing contacts with the people was over, with the party’s month-long sankalp yatra.

The second phase of strengthening the party units at all levels has begun. Three teams are touring all 28 Lok Sabha constituencies to hold workers’ meetings at the polling booth level.

The third aspect of the strategy is to confer with experts in different fields and prepare a blueprint by July 15 for the comprehensive development of the State. “This draft will be a forerunner to the party’s manifesto for the Assembly elections. Weshould be in a position to tackle effectively the developmental problems if we come to power,” Acharya explained.

The party will focus on irrigation, power for strengthening infrastructure and exploiting the State’s tourist potential.

Meanwhile, State BJP president B S Yediyurappa came down heavily on State Agriculture Minister C Byre Gowda for criticising the Centre for the State’s agricultural problems. “Byre Gowda should speak responsibly and understand things before speaking,” Yediyurappa said.

He said the BJP-led Government at the Centre could not table the national agriculture policy it had formulated due to political instability.

For the first time since Independence, our Government has prepared an agriculture policy which will address several issues.”

He criticised the State for imposing a five per cent turnover tax on complex fertilisers, which had affected the supply of fertilisers to the State.